Research CenterCurrent projects

MODIAMD - Molecular Diagnostics of AMD

In industrialized nations, age-related degeneration of the macula is the most common reason for age-related blindness. Meanwhile there are more than 4.5 million cases of AMD in Germany alone. Available therapies are laser coagulation and photodynamic therapy. Another method, antibody-treatment with VEGF inhibitors, is very successful, but extremely costly. For patients with AMD in a late stadium only rehabilitation measures, including low vision aids, are available.

The aim of this interdisciplinary research project is to improve the diagnostically quality. The new method should enable the detection of molecular modifications of the retina in dry AMD, an early diagnosis for the shift from dry to wet AMD as well as new principles for molecular imaging for a patient-specific therapy.